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HELP! Technics SL1200GR/Benz Glider Anit-Skate Setting High

I just mounted a Benz Micro Glider on a LPGear Pro Headshell which looks like the standard Technics headshell but is not up to the same quality as an original and I think is lighter.

When I first mounted it, I couldn't set the VTA correctly because the cartridge height was too low.  I had a plastic "angled" shim that I had from an old Dual DD turntable I had in the late '70's.

I installed that and was able to get the vta set OK.

But, when playing, I noticed that if I set the stylus down at the end of the last song on a side it would just fly into the label area.  I usually set the anti-skate at about 10 below the tracking force.  For the Glider the tracking force was set at 1.9 so I set the A/S at 1.  I kept increasing it until the cartridge would not fly into the label.  I ended up at 3 (the max.) A/S force.

I've never had this happen before.

I tried adding weight to the headshell and resetting everything and the anti-skate setting doesn't change still high.

I've often read many times that people usually have the A/S set too high even when they have it set to the same value as the tracking force.  Mine is set at least 10 higher?

Any ideas?

Thanks, Nick
nicktheknife

Showing 11 responses by nicktheknife

nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
lewm,
I believe the anti-skate mechanism is working because it has some effect, albeit at the highest setting on the dial.
I may have to put my other cartridge back on and see how that responds to the a/s dial.
On the other hand, I can leave the Glider on and put the a/s at 0 and see how it reacts to the HiFi News test.
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
Ok.
1. Turntable is level
2. Arm is level
3. I use the overhang gauge that comes with the technics to get me in the ball park. Then I use a db systems alignment protractor to get spot on.
4. The only thing that I can find a bit off is Azimuth but just a little.

I have just tried to set the VTF to 2.0 g which is at the top end of the optimal range of 1.8 to 2.0. No change.

As I said in my OP that I’m using an angled shim that brings the back end of the cartridge down a bit. Doesn’t appear extreme but maybe it’s too much rake angle?
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
chakster, 

Without the shim or some type of shim I can't get the arm parallel to the record surface unless I use an extra thick mat which I'm afraid will change the sound maybe for the worse.

I had the vta adjuster set at 0 before and the back end of the arm was still higher than the front.

Are there any headshells that are designed with a lower profile to bring the front end up to where the arm is level with the surface?
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
I removed the angle shim.

Readjusted all the settings. Even got azimuth corrected.

Vtf is 1.9 g

Vta is set to 0 on the adjuster and arm is parallel to platter or at least very close.

Anti-skate is at 2.

With a/s at 2 I can get thru the first two bands on the HiFi News test record.

The third band I get distortion immediately in the right channel.
Increase a/s to 2.5, no change.
Increase a/s to 3.0 and  get distortion evenly in both channels.

???
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
Tonearm height at 0 and arm parallel to platter.
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
I just incrementally brought the a/s up from 1 where I was getting buzzing/breakup in the right channel. 
Each increment brought just a little bit less breakup until I reached 1.9 where it went away. 1.9 grams is what I have my VTF set at so the A/S setting coincides with that anyway.   
It still won't play the third track without breakup so I'll listen to records with this setting to see how everything sounds.
I really want to invest in a good headshell.  I got the LPGear Pro headshell which is a Technics knock-off for $20 just so I can get the Benz mounted without removing my Ortofon MC Rondo Red from the headshell that came with the turntable.  
One with azimuth adjustment and less chinzy.  Maybe that would make a difference?  IDK.
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
There's four bands on the HiFi News test record for anti-skate.

Most cartridge/arm combos I've used had been able to get through the first three but none were able to make it thru the fourth band.

The Benz can only get through two without putting the a/s adjuster up to 3.  Maybe the Technics arm isn't the ideal match for the Glider but so far it sounds good.  I'll listen for awhile to see if I hear any mistracking or other anomalies.

As I said earlier,  I'd like to get a better headshell with azimuth adjustment to see if that would make a difference.

If it doesn't do anything well, at least I'll have a spare headshell of decent quality.
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
Chakster,

I guess it's just the HiFi News Test lp tracks.  
On my previous tt with a Rega RB-300 tonearm and Mitchel CW I could usually get through the third track at the recommended A/S setting.  
I can't get through the third track with the A/S set at 3 (max).
Just seems odd.
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
Well, I tried the putting the anti-skate at 0 to see how it reacts to the HiFi News tracks.
It got past the first track and that was it.  The seconds track I immediately got buzzing in the right channel so this is telling me that the A/S mechanism is at least having an effect.
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
Thanks to all who have posted suggestions.  I feel a lot better now just playing and listening to music instead of agonizing over the anti-skate setting.  So far everything at least sounds fine so I'll leave it at that.
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
tzh21y,

It could be something inherent in the Benz line or cartridges.  Who know?
It did track fine on the Rega arm but yeah, maybe it's not the best match for the Technics arm.  
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